Examples of Smart Goals -A Worksheet for Goal Setting

The following examples of smart goals demonstrate how to take a weak statement of desire and turn it into a focused, motivating smart goal. These smart goal examples will help you effectively construct your own goal statements towards positive life change.

Setting Smart Goals

Before delving into the smart goal examples below you may want to first read what are smart goals for an outline of the s.m.a.r.t. goal setting criteria. If you're familiar with setting goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-sensitive then just move on to explore some examples below.

If you've already familiarized yourself with these tips on setting goals you should be able to easily identify why the statements above don't make effective goals.

See if you can identify a number of goal setting faux pas committed above. This will help exercise your goal setting 'muscles' in preparation for writing your own.

Following below is a demonstration of how to turn general goals and desires into powerfully motivating smart goals (a worksheet for goal setting if you will)...

Good Smart Goal Examples

This section outlines how to take a vague statement of desire and turn it into a powerful smart goal. As you follow the progression - from general desire to effective goal statement - notice how the example of a smart goal feels different. Feeling is the domain of the subconscious mind - where creative energy and motivation reside.

General Goal or Desire

"I want to look great!"

Transforming General Goal or Desire Into a Smart Goal

"I want to look great"

>>>

"I want to look great by losing weight."

[Improvement: Getting a little more specific]

>>>

"I want to look great by losing 20 pounds."

[Improvement: Getting even more specific]

>>>

"I want to look great by weighing 130 pounds."

[Improvement: Restating the goal to focus on what we want instead of what we don't want]

>>>

"I want to look great by weighing 130 pounds by April 1st."

[Improvement: Focusing on what we want and bywhen]

>>>

"It's the morning of April 1st, I'm standing on the scale with the dial showing 130 pounds. Yes!!"

[Improvement: Eliminating 'I want' phrases and using present-tense language to convey that results have already been achieved.]

Completed example of smart goal

"It's the morning of April 1st, I step on the scale and it's showing 130 pounds. I look in the mirror and love what I see. I feel great!"

Wait! We can do even better...

"It's the morning of April 1st, I'm standing in front of the mirror comfortably fitting into my high school jeans! Wow, what a feeling!!

[Improvement: Creating a stronger appeal to the subconscious mind through the use of sensation-based imagery. Numbers are logic based and don't create the same imaginary impact as sensations do].

Our final goal statement includes all the elements of a good smart goal. It's specific, measurable, attainable and realistic as well as time-sensitive. It is stated in the present tense - giving the subconscious mind a tangible image to work with. And, last but not least, it appeals directly to the creative subconscious through sensation, not logic.

Go ahead and read the initial general statement - and the final smart goal - and see how different they feel. This is the difference between effective goal setting and simply writing down what we want.

Following are additional examples of smart goals for your reference. Identify the specific goal statement improvements as you follow along...

Further Smart Goal Examples

General Goal or Desire

"I am tired of worrying about my financial future."

Transforming General Goal or Desire Into a Smart Goal

"I am tired of worrying about my financial future."

>>>

"I don't want to have to worry about my financial future anymore."

[Improvement: Changing from a mere complaint to a definite statement of what you don't want]

>>>

"I want to be financially independent."

[Improvement: Shifting from a statement of what you don't want to a statement of what you want]

>>>

"I want to be debt free and generating enough passive income to free up my time."

[Improvement: This is getting more specific by defining what 'financially independent' actually means to you]

>>>

"Within the next five years I want to be debt free and generating enough passive income to free up my time."

[Improvement: Getting more specific by setting a definitive time-frame]

>>>

"I want to be netting $4,000 in passive monthly income by 2017 and to have a $0 balance owing on my credit card."

[Improvement: Making the goal very specific and measurable]

>>>

"It's January 1st, 2017. I'm netting $4,000 in passive monthly income and have a $0 balance owing on my credit card."

"It is New Years Eve 2017. My life partner and I are sitting at the table looking at a $0 balance owing on our last credit card statement and at $4,000 generated in passive income the previous month. We raise a toast and smile. We're on our way to living our dream."

General Goal or Desire

"I want to quite my job as soon as possible."

Transforming General Goal or Desire Into a Smart Goal

"I want to quit my job as soon as possible."

>>>

"I want to quit my job within no more than 12 months."

[Improvement: Adding a time-frame making the goal more specific]

>>>

"I want to quit my job by New Years Eve."

[Improvement: Making it more specific by naming a date]

>>>

"By New Years Eve I will be the owner of my own business based on my passion. I will be self-employed and already earning income - making the transition out of my job feel seamless."

[Improvement: Now the goal is focused on what you want instead of what you don't. You're no longer avoiding; you're now pursuing!]

Completed Smart Goal Example

"It is New Years Eve, 2013. I'm at home with my significant other and holding the first cheque from our home-based business in-hand. I'll never forget the the way we looked at each other. How tangible a mere dream has now become! A deeply contented sense of accomplishment mixed with excitement for the future filled the air."

General Goal or Desire

"I don't want to be in this kind of relationship!"

Transforming General Goal or Desire Into a Smart Goal

"I don't want to be in this kind of relationship!"

>>>

"I want to be in a healthy and mutually supportive relationship."

[Improvement: Targeting what you want instead of what you don't]

>>>

"I want to be in a healthy and mutually supportive relationship by the time my birthday rolls around." (

[Improvement: More specific by introducing a definitive time-frame]

Completed Smart Goal Example

"It's March 13, 2016. It's my birthday, I'm celebrating with family and friends with my boyfriend/girlfriend proudly by my side. How wonderful to be a part of this new relationship and to be able to share my genuine happiness with those I love!"

General Goal or Desire

"I don't want to be stagnant anymore!"

Transforming General Goal or Desire Into a Smart Goal

"I don't want to be stagnant anymore!"

>>>

"I want to grow and feel alive again!"

>>>

"I want to finish every single day knowing that I've learned something about myself and that I've grown from it."

[Improvement: Getting more specific by introducing a time-frame]

>>>

"I will take the time to set myself some meaningful goals and objectives. This will give focus to my time and my life."

[Improvement: Getting more specific by focusing on how I'll ensure I grow and learn daily]

Completed Smart Goal Example

"It's early morning Saturday. I'm holding a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee in hand and am reviewing my goals and personal growth objectives for the coming week, month, three months and year." It feels great to be on track and 'on purpose' again. Can't wait for the days, weeks, months and years ahead!

A Bird's Eye View

Effective goal setting is a powerful tool for positive life change, ongoing self-development and personal growth. It's a creative method for transforming mind into substance, reflecting the new reality of your life.

The examples of smart goals above unfold in the larger context of life. It's important to have a good grasp of the big picture, so you don't lose yourself in the details. These goal setting strategies give you the big picture of goal setting.

While inspired goal setting helps put the entire goal-setting journey into perspective. Once you have a firm grasp of the context, go ahead to set individual goals. Write them down in a goal setting journal to keep track of your progress and facilitate long-term personal growth.

Hope you enjoyed this collection of smart goal examples and that it proves useful to you on your evolutionary ventures!

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis
or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor or mental health
professional before trying anything you read here.